Long Sutton Market House will not now be immediately sold after a late amendment to the Lincolnshire County Council budget.
Coun Gary Taylor successfully argued that the sales of it and a similar community centre in Mablethorpe be suspended for full consultation at the end of last week’s over eight hour meeting of the authority.
As part of its budget, the council announced it was to sell the over 150 year old former corn exchange, market and magistrates’ court that’s leased to trustees to oversee so it could save £6,000 a year.
Coun Taylor’s amendment to the budget asked for the sale to be ‘suspended’ and for a ‘full options appraisal and community consultation’ to take place before any decision
“These centres play vitally important role for their towns,” Coun Taylor told Friday’s meeting in Lincoln. “They’re multiuse centres that provide a wide range of services.
“From weekly drop in sessions, community information points and sign posting advice through to bingo and films
“The footfall at Long Sutton Market House also supports the Friday market and supports the independent local shops there.
“Even the speculation surrounding these centre is damaging. It creates uncertainty, speculation and causes concerns for those users.
“They may be many miles away from Lincoln but we should never abandon those communities.”
Seconding the proposal Coun Jacqueline Brockway called it ‘heartbreaking’.
“We’re not saying ‘stop it’ but will you delay it to allow the community to be involved?”
All parties, including the majority Reform councillors, backed the proposal.
Coun Mark Kelly told the meeting that the properties were being ‘divested’ and were ‘not going up for sale’ despite the fact the budget literally states ‘sell Long Sutton Market House’
“Divest means transfer them to the local community groups as they can do far more with and actually secure greater levels of funding as a community group when they are not a resident and we are the landlord,” he said. “We’re looking at options to divest and increase opportunities for the local communities.”
Coun Robbie Woods, the Reform member for Long Sutton, said: “We’re engaging with the communities.”
